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FALL GUIDE 2008 - MUSIC

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A year ago, who could've guessed that the UCF Arena, that 10,000-seat monstrosity on the college campus, would bring our city closer to being more like Tampa? Do you realize how painful it is for the Who and Radiohead to snub us for Tampa? Bay jealousy isn't pretty, but this new arena is; the sight lines are well-planned, sound quality is stellar and the group and "party" suites are swankier than anything in that damnable Ford Amphitheatre. The concert lineup, however, still skews a little too old (Tony Bennett, Sept. 30) and a lot too lame (Foghat, Oct. 2) with one exception this fall: Dolly Parton.

Setting aside her bubbly, Botoxed grill, the famous "twins" and her now-defunct Orlando-based Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede (shudder), Ms. Parton earns our admiration — and ticket purchase — thanks to her amazing run of classic country albums that stand with the best of any genre. From the knowing smirk of her extraordinary debut, 1967's Hello, I'm Dolly, to '74's devastatingly touching and personal Jolene, Parton recorded 13 astounding albums. None of them charted much at the time or won her any Grammys, but Coat of Many Colors was later named by Rolling Stone and Time one of the greatest albums of all time. Her Hall-of-Fame songwriting and productivity put her golden era on par with Stevie Wonder's classic period, and the fact that most listeners think of her chest first when her name is mentioned — although it's of her own doing — is the tragic effect of becoming a caricature.

In that sense, Orlando and Dolly Parton go hand in hand. Both know what it's like to exist as a pop-culture joke (our two round, protruding icons are ears, though). Maybe the UCF Arena can serve as a reminder to Ms. Parton: You can take it back and be great again. Just stay away from Rich DeVos' Golden Pleasure Dome, sweetie; you'll only end up broke and pregnant.

Thursday, Nov. 13

Nov. 13-Nov. 19

Anti-Pop Music Festival Dozens of indie and experimental bands including Conor Oberst, Mike Doughty, Matt Costa, the Black Lips and many more converge on venues around town. Check out www.antipopmusicfest.com for details. Various times Thursday-Wednesday; various prices.